JP3546996B2 - Personal digital assistant with camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide portable information terminal with a camera, which is provided with a finder corresponding to the photographing optical system of a camera function part, suppresses power consumption without damaging the operation of the camera and can be used for a long time when it is used in the photographing mode of the camera apart from a display for an information terminal, which is used as the finder. SOLUTION: Relating to a portable information terminal with camera, the camera function part is mounted on an information terminal main body and the display of information terminal is used as the finder in the photographing optical system of the camera function part. The finder for the photographing optical system is mounted to the information terminal main body by adjusting it in the direction of the optical lens.

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention mainly relates to a portable information terminal device with a camera which is applied to a portable videophone or the like and has versatility.
[0002]
[Prior art]
This type of portable information terminal device with a camera is provided with a camera function unit in the information terminal device body, and is configured to use a display unit of the information terminal device as a finder in a shooting optical system of the camera function unit. ing.
[0003]
As described above, when a portable information terminal device is equipped with a camera and is used as a digital camera, it is desired that the portable information terminal device have the same operability as a normal camera and consume less power.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, photographing the display unit of the portable information terminal device while looking through the viewfinder as a viewfinder requires turning on power for screen display. For this reason, the power consumption increases, and it is not suitable for long-time use. In addition, if the image is not displayed on the screen and the lens opening of the optical system for photographing is aimed at the object and relied on intuition, photographing at a good camera angle cannot be performed, and there is a failure.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve this problem, and is used as a finder. When used in a shooting mode of a camera separately from a display unit for an information terminal, a shooting optical system of a camera function unit is used. An object of the present invention is to provide a camera-equipped portable information terminal device equipped with a finder corresponding to the above, which does not impair the operability of the camera, suppresses power consumption, and can be used for a long time.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, in the present invention, a portable information terminal with a camera is provided with a camera function unit in the information terminal device main body, and a display unit of the information terminal device is used as a finder in a photographing optical system of the camera function unit. In the device, the information terminal device main body has a configuration in which a pair of housings having a display unit on at least one side are foldably connected via a hinge unit, and the hinge unit includes a camera function unit. In addition to the photographing optical system and the display unit, a finder corresponding to the photographing optical system is provided according to the direction of the optical lens.
[0007]
Further, in the portable information terminal device with a camera, the information terminal device body is provided with a camera function unit, and the display unit of the information terminal device is used as a finder in a photographic optical system of the camera function unit. In the terminal device main body , separately from the display unit, a finder for a photographing optical system is provided according to the direction of the optical lens, and the finder is provided on an upper side of the information terminal device main body. It is characterized by being arranged alongside an operation button for a shutter operation .
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An overview of three embodiments of the present invention is shown in FIGS. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the information terminal device main body 1 is equipped with a camera function unit (not shown), and an operation button for a shutter provided in the photographing optical system 2 (optical lens system, light receiving element, etc.). 3 is provided on the shoulder 1a (upper side) of the housing of the information terminal device main body 1.
[0010]
Further, in particular, in the present invention, the finder 4 is configured to look directly at an image from the optical path of the optical system 2 so that the finder 4 can be stored in the shoulder 1a so as to be stored in the information terminal device main body 1. Equipped alongside Button 3. In the figure, reference numeral 5 denotes a display unit (liquid crystal screen) provided on one surface of the information terminal device main body 1, and a terminal operation button 6 as a scroll button for the display unit 5 is provided beside it. is there.
[0011]
Note that, in this embodiment, the terminal operation button 6 has a configuration (described later) in which two operation functions are added by two-step depression in addition to the tilt operation for the scroll operation.
[0012]
The information terminal device main body 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 has a pair of flat housings 1X and 1Y having display portions 1b and 1c on at least one side (in this embodiment, respectively) via a hinge portion 1Z. The hinge 7 is provided with a housing 7 provided with a photographing optical system 2 (a lens opening is shown outside) of the camera function unit in the hinge 1Z. , And is provided rotatably about the rotation center of the hinge portion 1Z.
[0013]
Here, the finder 4 can be stored in the optical system storage portion (large-diameter portion and rotatable with respect to the pivot) of the hinge portion 1Z (see FIG. 2), or can be directly fixed. (See FIG. 3). The features of the present invention are the same as the configuration of FIG.
[0014]
Here, the position of the shutter operation button 3 and the position of the finder 4 are set at the positions shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, but they may be located at any position of the information terminal device main body 1. Any place that can be easily operated as a camera is acceptable.
[0015]
In these embodiments, each of the operation button 3 (shutter button) and the scroll button 6 has a two-stage push-button switch structure. The former has a configuration in which, when the button is pressed only one step, the camera function unit is activated as in a conventional camera, and the camera is ready for shooting. When the second step is pressed, the shutter is released.
[0016]
Here, when the operation button 3 or the scroll button 6 is depressed by one step, as shown in FIG. 4, the control circuit 11 controls the lens driving unit 12 and the imaging optical system 2 (optical lens system). The focus and the exposure are adjusted, and the image signal processing circuit 13 and the imaging circuit 14 are controlled to perform adjustment so that an appropriate image can be captured, thereby completing the preparation for capturing.
[0017]
Next, when the operation button 3 or the scroll button 6 is depressed by two steps, the signal is input to the control circuit 11, and the shutter (not shown) of the imaging optical system 2 is released. Image information formed by the imaging circuit 14 is converted into digital image data by the image signal processing circuit 13 and stored in the memory 15.
[0018]
At this time, the control circuit 11 is connected to the main circuit of the portable information terminal device, and the digital image data stored in the memory 15 is transferred to the main circuit through the control circuit 11. At this time, an image may be displayed on the display unit 1b.
[0019]
In the portable information terminal device having the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example, the housing 1Y is expanded 360 degrees with respect to the housing 1X, and an image is displayed as a finder on the display unit 1b. The display unit 1c may be directed to the side, and the same image may be displayed here so that the image of the subject (a so-called camera angle) can be viewed from the subject side.
[0020]
In such a configuration, when the terminal device main body 1 is switched and the camera is photographed on a vertically or horizontally long screen as a camera (see FIG. 5), the selection and use of the operation button 3 and the scroll button 6 as the shutter button is changed to the viewfinder. There is an advantage that operation is easy even when looking into the display 4 or when viewing the display unit 5 (or 1c).
[0021]
In this embodiment, the scroll button 6 is connected to the control circuit 11 so that it can be used for screen scrolling and menu selection, which are essential functions, in addition to the shutter operation function (press down). It is also connected to the main circuit of the information terminal device. Note that this portable information terminal device has a scroll button control circuit 16 that can perform an operation such as switching of a function mode so that a function at the time of vertically pressing the scroll button 6 can be set in addition to the shutter operation function. May be. However, the scroll button control circuit 16 may be omitted when the function for vertically pressing the scroll button is set to only the shutter operation function.
[0022]
This portable information terminal device can exhibit its original functions such as a videophone. For example, in the case of the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the folded state shown in FIG. 2A or FIG. 3A, the reception state (can be positively turned off by a switch operation or the like). And only the camera function are set. With respect to the function as an information terminal, for example, the incoming signal can be notified with a required sound, and the operation of the operation button 3 causes the camera function unit to operate. A shutter operation is performed.
[0023]
At this time, whether to use the display section 1b or the finder 4 directly as a finder is left to the choice of the user. The switching operation for this is preferably performed by a switch (not shown) provided in the terminal device main body. When the finder 4 is used directly, the image display on the display unit 1b (output display as a finder) is stopped, and unnecessary power consumption is avoided.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 3B, when the housings 1X and 1Y are deployed (for example, a mode switch function from the camera function mode to the information terminal function mode is performed), The function as the information terminal (switching to the transmission / reception state, turning on the display units 1b and 1c, etc.) is set.
[0025]
Here, for example, a function switch such as a keyboard is displayed on a part of the display unit 1b. In response to this, the operation of the other party can be performed by operating the scroll button 6.
[0026]
In this state, voice transmission and reception can be realized, and the camera function unit is operated to continuously or intermittently photograph the user's own image via the photographing optical system 2. For example, a part of the display unit 1 b Then, while displaying an image, the image signal is digitized and transmitted to the other party. On the other hand, an image of the other party can be displayed on the display unit 1c.
[0027]
In the communication process, the camera function can be exercised according to the request of the other party, the desired photographing can be performed using the photographing optical system 2, and immediately transmitted to the other party. Such mode switching may be performed by a function switch displayed on a part of the display unit 1b or the like.
[0028]
Thus, in the portable information terminal device with a camera according to the present invention, when the camera function is mainly operated, the display unit 1b of the portable information terminal is separately provided without being used as a finder. Since the viewfinder 4 can be used corresponding to the photographing optical system 2 of the camera function unit, power consumption for energizing the display unit 1b can be avoided.
[0029]
In this embodiment, the vertical press switch function provided on the scroll button 6 can be used for functions other than the shutter operation button (multiple functions) according to the user's preference.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention has been described in detail above.By providing a finder in a conventional camera in the information terminal device main body, even when the display portion of the information terminal is not used as a finder, it is possible to accurately capture a subject, Since the display unit is not energized, the effect of reducing power consumption can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a first embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a second embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a third embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a vertical / horizontal use mode, taking the first embodiment as an example.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information terminal device main body 1a Shoulder part 1b, 1c Display part 1X, 1Y Case 1Z Hinge part 2 Photographing optical system 3 of a camera function part 3 Operation button 4 Viewfinder 5 Display part 6 Terminal operation button (scroll button)
Reference Signs List 11 control circuit 12 lens driving unit 13 image signal processing circuit 14 imaging circuit 15 memory 16 scroll button control circuit

Claims (4)

A portable information terminal device with a camera, wherein the information terminal device is provided with a camera function unit, and a display unit of the information terminal device is used as a finder in a photographing optical system of the camera function unit; The main body has a configuration in which a pair of housings having a display unit on at least one side are foldably connected via a hinge unit, and the hinge unit includes a photographing optical system of the camera function unit, and A portable information terminal device with a camera , wherein a finder corresponding to the optical system for photographing is provided separately from the display unit in accordance with the direction of the optical lens. A portable information terminal device with a camera, wherein the information terminal device is provided with a camera function unit, and a display unit of the information terminal device is used as a finder in a photographing optical system of the camera function unit; The main body is provided with a finder for a photographing optical system in accordance with the direction of the optical lens, separately from the display unit. A portable information terminal device with a camera, which is arranged side by side with operation buttons for the camera. 3. The portable information terminal device with a camera according to claim 1, wherein the finder is provided so as to be stowable and protrude from the information terminal device body. 4. The portable information terminal device with a camera according to claim 1, wherein the finder is provided in a housing that is rotatable around the hinge portion.

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